The Omnipotent Super Chuunibyou - Chapter 3
Something seems to be changing.
Perhaps it’s something that’s been happening for a long time, or perhaps it’s right in front of me.
The air suddenly feels much fresher, like a fish that’s swum ashore and returned to the ocean… No, more like it’s been placed in an oxygenated tank.
As Hasegawa walked down the street, his thoughts began to stir.
When he stopped at the tram stop, he felt a gaze upon him, and when he turned, he found its owner: a petite, beautiful girl with skin the color of ivory, dressed in a black sleeveless dress with a red bow tie, a gothic belt beneath the uniform, and black knee-high stockings. A longer-than-average antenna hair atop her head and a white blindfold over her right eye made for striking accents.
The uniform was clearly that of Shuchiin Academy, the school he was about to attend. Judging by the looks of it, this girl was an incoming first-year student, just like him.
The eyes gazing at him seemed to radiate piercing wisdom.
She didn’t avoid his returned gaze.
He was looking at her, and she was looking back at him.
In that instant, they seemed to exchange a silent message.
A moment later…
“Whir…”
The long-awaited train approached from the other side of the tracks.
The girl sprang into action.
“Hahahah, I’m gonna show you my power, just like I promised!”
Feeling quite pleased with herself, Takanashi Rikka held out her hand, palm-up, to the train door in front of her.
With a whoosh, the door obediently slid open.
She turned to glance at the boy, as if expecting a reaction.
But Hasegawa’s face betrayed nothing, disappointing her thoroughly.
“Just an ordinary human, huh?”
Sighing, Takanashi Rikka boarded the train.
Even as the door closed, there was no sign that he intended to follow.
Suddenly, a voice called from behind her: “Open sesame!”
The train door, which had already closed, sprang open again, and a figure strode onto the platform.
“Eh?!” Takanashi Rikka turned, incredulous, a bead of sweat forming on her forehead.
“Yo.”
The young man raised a hand in greeting.
Behind them, the train door slid shut again, and the scenery outside swiftly changed.
“What’s going on? Did the train break down just now? Did they close it again?”
“Did they? Maybe the system’s just slow.”
“I hope nothing’s wrong!”
“It’s probably not a big deal. It’s just a door, after all.”
“If you’re worried, go call someone over. I’ve got to get to work.”
“Maybe you misheard or misinterpreted something.”
The passengers discussed the shocking scene that had just played out, offering their own theories.
Meanwhile, Hasegawa Izumi, who had boarded after the door reopened, was completely overlooked.
He found an empty corner and stood there, as if nothing unusual had happened.
No one suspected his influence, since this was reality, and there were no such things as supernatural powers.
However, one person felt differently.
“I finally found you,” Rikka murmured.
“Hm?”
“Was that your power? Telekinesis? Kotodama? Mechanical control? Or something with magnetic fields?”
Rikka prepared herself mentally, taking a deep breath, then walked up to him and fired off a series of questions.
“It was just an accident,” he replied calmly.
“No! My intuition tells me this has something to do with you!”
Takanashi Rikka extended her right hand, a single finger pointing at him.
Is she using Spiritual Perception? She seems to have the aptitude. Perhaps she could become an ally.
“Why do you think there are special powers in this world?”
His eyes shifted slightly, carefully studying her as he continued his investigation.
“Because the moment I saw you, the True Eye of the Evil King revealed to me all the causes and effects.”
She placed a hand over her blindfolded eye, her expression severe.
“The True Eye of the Evil King?”
He looked puzzled.
“The True Eye of the Evil King is a mystical eye that harnesses the power of darkness with a sacred heart,” she explained. “I, who possess the True Eye of the Evil King, am known as the Wielder of True Eye of the Evil King.”
“Is that so? But I don’t feel any sacred hearts or dark powers or whatever from you at all.” He shook his head. “Then again… May I see?”
As she spoke, Takanashi Rikka lifted her blindfold, exposing those golden, shimmering eyes.
“I still don’t feel anything, but hey, ‘Wielder of True Eye of the Evil King’ sounds pretty badass—so it’s probably not fake… Or perhaps this world’s spiritual energy hasn’t fully recovered, and thus can’t support overly powerful abilities, or maybe you haven’t yet adapted to the laws of this realm?”
Hasegawa stroked his chin, looking deep in thought.
Takanashi Rikka paused, then quickly responded, “No matter what, since you’ve seen my eyes, our contract is complete. I searched for you for countless years, and now we meet here, at the gate of destiny!”
That sounded very dramatic—maybe it was true?
Having a few companions on the journey to find the Way would make things less lonely.
“I don’t know what sort of contract we’ve signed, but yes, we should at least get to know each other. My name is Hasegawa Izumi.” Laughing softly, he held out his right hand.
“My other name is Takanashi Rikka. From today onward, we’re ‘allies.’ You may address me by my first name.”
The girl slowly raised her right hand, paused briefly, and then shook his.
The two hands, one large, one small, clasped together.
The other passengers noticed this exchange, unsure whether to laugh or cry.
“Mommy, what are they doing?”
“Don’t look; those are just weirdos. Don’t ever be like them.”
“There’s nothing to be surprised about; they’re just Chuunibyou.”
“Ah ha ha! It reminds me of my own youth.”
———-
Shuchi’in Academy, based in Minato, Tokyo, is a prestigious institution that offers education from kindergarten through university. Founded as an organization to educate aristocrats and the children of Samurai, it boasts a long history and an illustrious reputation.
Even after the abolition of the aristocracy, it remains a school attended by many children born into wealthy and influential families, individuals who will one day shoulder the fate of the nation. Only a small number of students from commoner schools manage to gain admission.
As such, while academic achievement is the primary requirement for entry, connections and other backdoor methods are also known to play a role.
Truth be told, Rikka hadn’t planned to attend this school, but because of the Sakuras, she ended up enrolling.
“Wow! This is the place my Servant recommended? It’s great! It’s spacious, with plenty of room to set up a base of operations and launch my activities.”
After arriving at Shuchi’in’s entrance and taking in the elegant surroundings, Rikka excitedly clenched her right fist, her face alight with determination.